Chapter 94

After Ling Taian finished speaking, he stood proudly before Ling Jiayue. Looking at his imposing back, Ling Jiayue’s heart was filled with emotion. Just as she was about to speak, Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng and Third Prince Mu Yuyang also arrived at the Dismounting Stele. When the assembled officials saw Mu Yuyang and Mu Yuheng arrive, they all knelt and saluted. “Greetings, Your Highness, Third Prince. Greetings, Your Highness, Seventh Prince.” The officials dropped to their knees one after another, creating a grand spectacle. There was no other reason for it—Mu Yuheng and Mu Yuye were imperial princes, scions of the imperial family, and the officials had no choice but to kneel before them. Mu Yuyang seemed accustomed to such scenes. He did not even deign to speak with the officials, wearing an aloof, superior expression. Mu Yuheng, however, appeared approachable. With a raised hand, he signaled for everyone to rise. Once the officials stood, they bowed respectfully and took their places. Mu Yuheng spotted Ling Jiayue at once in her official uniform. He secretly studied Ling Jiayue in her official attire, inwardly praising her. He had always seen her dressed as a woman, and he had never expected her to look so spirited and dashing in an official uniform. Anyone who saw her would feel a surge of fondness. In truth, she really did resemble the former Empress of the Ye Kingdom. Mu Yuyang also noticed Ling Jiayue dressed in official robes and could not resist sneering. “Have all the men of Dayi died? How else could it have fallen to a mere Prime Minister’s daughter to become a First-Rank County Lady? This is truly the most ridiculous thing under heaven.” When Ling Taian heard the Third Prince say this, he immediately grew displeased. He was just about to argue with the Third Prince when Ling Jiayue stopped him. Ling Taian assumed that she simply did not want to cause trouble, so he let the matter drop. Ling Jiayue, however, had her own considerations. If Ling Taian stood up for her every time, how would she establish herself in the imperial court in the future? She wanted to fight back—but she would do it herself. Mu Yuheng also saw the fighting spirit surging within Ling Jiayue. He had always admired her—her resoluteness and strength. He had never believed that protecting her and keeping her sheltered was what was best for her. He knew that when Ling Jiayue was vulnerable, she might need a shoulder to lean on, but she had never needed excessive coddling. Ling Jiayue looked at the Third Prince with a bright smile and said in a mild tone, “Third Prince, although I am a woman, the title of First-Rank County Lady was personally bestowed upon me by the Emperor. Are you questioning the Emperor’s decision with those words?” Ling Taian was overjoyed when he heard this, thinking that his daughter had truly grown up. Mu Yuheng watched Ling Jiayue with amusement in his eyes. He knew that Ling Jiayue had never been a weak woman. She had always been a fighter. Mu Yuyang, however, flew into a rage upon hearing this. “Ling Jiayue, what do you mean by that?! This prince absolutely did not mean to question Father Emperor. Don’t you dare put words in my mouth!” Ling Jiayue continued smiling as she said, “Third Prince, every word you said just now was about how unworthy I am of being a County Lady. Could it be that you believe you are wiser than the Emperor? Or do you believe the Emperor made a mistake?” Mu Yuyang knew he could not win an argument with Ling Jiayue. He simply stopped speaking to her, threw out the words “sharp-tongued,” and stormed away with a sweep of his sleeve. By then, it was time for morning court. The officials began making their way toward the imperial palace. As Seventh Prince Mu Yuheng passed by Ling Jiayue, he whispered, “Well done.” Ling Jiayue also lowered her voice. “Thank you for the praise, Seventh Prince.” Mu Yuheng’s smile deepened. Ling Jiayue followed Ling Taian into the imperial palace. He quietly said to her, “I’ve always thought you were a gentle and refined child. I never expected you to have such a sharp edge.” “Father, if no one provokes me, I won’t provoke anyone. But the Third Prince humiliated me today. If I endured it, what would happen if he humiliated my family in the future? Your daughter won’t tolerate that.” Though Ling Jiayue spoke softly, her tone was filled with determination. “Good girl. You did the right thing,” Ling Taian replied. Father and daughter followed the other officials toward the imperial palace. Apart from the peach-blossom banquet, this was Ling Jiayue’s second time entering the palace, but she had never before walked along the route used for morning court. Large and small stone lions stood along the official road, lining the path to court and making it appear especially imposing. Ling Jiayue followed Ling Taian to the Meridian Gate and stood there. Eunuch Chen was positioned before the gate and called out loudly, “All officials, attend morning court!” Along with Eunuch Chen’s shout, a little eunuch at the Meridian Gate began violently snapping a whip against the ground. As the crack of the whip rang out, the officials entered the imperial court. Emperor Mu Yuye was already seated upright on the Dragon Throne. The princes stood in the very front row, with Ling Taian and the other civil and military officials behind them. Since this was Ling Jiayue’s first morning court and her official position had not yet been assigned, she stood behind Ling Taian. Mu Yuye sat upon the Dragon Throne and looked over the officials standing below. When he saw Ling Jiayue, he remembered that he had bestowed the title of First-Rank County Lady upon her at the peach-blossom banquet and spoke. “First-Rank County Lady.” When Ling Jiayue heard the Emperor call her name, she stepped forward and bowed. “Your subject is here.” Mu Yuye said, “You are a woman, yet you have excellent calligraphy. Go to the Hanlin Academy and serve as a Hanlin compiler. Compiling literary and historical works is also a meritorious endeavor.” “Thank you, Your Majesty. Your subject accepts the decree and offers her thanks for Your Majesty’s grace.” After Mu Yuye granted her an official position, Ling Jiayue stood behind Ling Taian like a wooden post until court was dismissed, then followed him home. In the carriage, Ling Jiayue asked, “Father, what exactly does a Hanlin compiler do?” “Yue'er, the work of a compiler is to compile literary and historical records. It is a poor and arduous position, so you’ll need to learn to be patient. Otherwise, you’ll suffer for it,” Ling Taian teased. Compiling literary and historical records was not difficult. Ling Jiayue simply lacked patience. The moment she heard that she would need to be patient, her head began to ache. Seeing her expression, Ling Taian laughed aloud. “Look at you, acting as if there’s nothing in the world you fear. Who would have thought there was something that frightened you after all?” Ling Jiayue merely pursed her lips. Ling Taian laughed even more loudly, and before long, the carriage creaked and rattled back to the Ling Residence. Madam Liu and Ling Jiaxuan had been waiting at the entrance since early morning. The moment Madam Liu saw Ling Jiayue return, she hurried forward and asked, “Yue'er, how did it go today?” “Mother, I’m going to be a compiler now—a dull and miserable compiler.” Ling Jiayue looked as though she might cry. Ling Jiaxuan could not help laughing. “Being a compiler is fine. With your flighty temperament, having it tempered a little will do you good.” Ling Jiayue turned around and pouted at Madam Liu. “Mother, look at him. He’s making fun of me.” Madam Liu shot Ling Jiayue a sidelong glance. “I told you not to go, but you insisted. I think your Older Brother is right to laugh. The Emperor should have sent you to be a compiler.”